Purpose: The editors state that their goal is “to bring together in concise, definitive articles the best current information on medical diagnosis to assist the physician in arriving at the correct diagnosis as efficiently as possible.”

Content: This ninth edition includes 293 monographs that describe medical problems and diagnostic approaches. The first section covers common clinical problems, such as fever, coma, and syncope. The remaining chapters are disease specific, describing basic pathophysiology and diagnostic approaches in detail. The 464 contributors range from internationally known department chairpersons to residents and fellows.